REPOST: How Effective is Your Air Conditioning Unit?

Consumer Reports tested several brands of window air conditioning units to determine their cooling ability. Read the verdict on this article from WFMYNews2.com.

 

Image Source: wfmynews2.com

Portable air conditioners sound like an easy solution for cooling a room that can't accommodate a window air conditioner, but many are returned by unhappy customers.

So Consumer Reports tested to see if there are some good choices.

With temperatures rising outside a seemingly easy fix is a portable air conditioner. It draws in warm air and exhausts it outside through a hose that connects to your window.

Consumer Reports tested eight from brands including Honeywell, Haier and Frigidaire. Prices range from 250 to more than 500 dollars.

Consumer Reports used a special chamber to test their cooling power. The temperature outside is kept at 90 degrees, the humidity at 70 percent. Inside, each air conditioner is set to 75 degrees.
 
Strings of thermocouples record temperatures throughout the room. The results were disappointing.

"None of these units, not even the biggest ones, could get our test chamber below 80 degrees even after an hour and forty minutes," said Bob Markovich, of Consumer Reports.

That was true even of the most expensive unit tested, including a $550 Honeywell which promises it "cools up to 550 square feet." It struggled to cool the test chamber, which is half that size.

"Window air conditioners are much more effective and they tend to cost less," said Markovich.
Consumer Reports found several window air conditioners to recommend. Top-rated for larger rooms, a $350 LG. For medium-sized rooms an LG for $240. And for smaller rooms a $210 GE is a Consumer Reports Best Buy.

Consumer Reports says be sure to pick the right size air conditioner for your space. If the unit is too small, your room won't get cool enough. But an air conditioner that's too big may make it feel cold and clammy.

Hobson Air is a family owned and operated business in Texas that has been servicing HVAC systems since 1962. Visit this blog for more discussions on HVAC improvements.

REPOST: Ventilation rates and sick building syndrome symptoms

The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory discusses the link between poor ventilation andsick building syndrome, which is a series of symptoms associated with poor air quality that can negatively affect the quality of life in a home or workplace.

Image source: iaqscience.lbl.org

Many studies have investigated the linkage between ventilation rates and the proportion of the occupants reporting sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms. Most studies have collected symptom and ventilation rate data from sets of five to 160 buildings or building spaces and assessed how symptom reporting rates were correlated with ventilation rates, using statistical models to control for other factors. A few studies experimentally manipulated ventilation rates in one or a few buildings and assessed how symptom reporting rates or symptom severity varied with changes in ventilation rate. Occupants were unaware of the ventilation rates during the various experimental periods. Considering the full set of studies, ventilation rates spanned a very broad range from zero mechanical ventilation and an uncharacterized amount of infiltration to total ventilation of more than 100 cfm per person. In many individual studies, building ventilation rates spanned a smaller range from approximately 10 to 35 cfm per person.

Three critical reviews of this literature have been performed. In the review by Seppänen et al. [24], 20 out of 27 studies found a statistically significant increase in reporting of at least one SBS symptom among occupants of the study buildings with lower ventilation rates. In nine of these studies, there was at least an 80% increase in the fraction of occupants reporting at least one of the types of SBS symptoms in the buildings with lower ventilation rates. The second critical review [32] was performed by an interdisciplinary group from Europe and concluded that "increasing the ventilation rate .....decreases the prevalence rates of SBS symptoms." This interdisciplinary group also concluded that "ventilation rates below 25 liters per second per person [53 cfm per person] in offices can increase the risk of health and comfort problems". The third critical review [33] by another interdisciplinary group concluded that "higher ventilation rates in offices, up to about 25 L/s [53 cfm] per person are associated with reduced prevalence of sick building syndrome symptoms".

The largest U.S. study of building characteristics and occupant symptoms is the EPA Building Assessment Survey and Evaluation (BASE) Study of 100 representative office buildings. Analyses of data from this study [34] indicate a general decrease in SBS symptoms as study space ventilation rates increase from as low as 10 cfm per person up to approximately 25 to 35 cfm per person, while current U.S. building codes and professional standards generally require a minimum of 15 to 20 cfm per person in offices. Twenty percent to 30% fewer occupants reported SBS symptoms in study spaces with ventilation rates above 20 to 25 cfm per person, compared to study spaces with lower rates typically ranging between 10 and 20 cfm per person.

In work performed for this IAQ Scientific Findings Resource Bank, the published data relating ventilation rates in office buildings with prevalence rates of SBS symptoms were analyzed statistically [35]. This analysis yielded a quantitative estimate of how, on average, the prevalence of SBS symptoms varies with ventilation rate per person. The key results are provided as Figure 4 which shows the estimated curve of relative SBS symptom prevalence (RP) plotted versus ventilation rate with RP equal to unity at a ventilation rate of 17 cfm per person, which is the minimum required ventilation rate for offices (based on an assumed default occupant density of 5 occupants per 1000 ft2) in the applicable ventilation standard of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers [36]. The central estimate of RP is indicated by the bold red line and the 95% confidence band is indicated by the shading. The RP increases from 1.0 to approximately 1.15 (95% confidence interval: 1.09 - 1.22) as the ventilation rate drops from 17 to 10 cfm per person. RP decreases from 1.0 to approximately 0.67 (95% confidence interval: 0.55 - 0.81) as ventilation rate increases from 17 to 50 cfm per person. At higher ventilation rates, the statistical uncertainty in RP becomes large relative to the estimated deviation from unity.

Figure 4: Estimated relative SBS symptom prevalence in office workers versus ventilation rate. Image source: iaqscience.lbl.gov

Interpretation of Figure 4 may be facilitated by the following application example. Consider a situation in which the SBS symptom prevalence is 20% when the ventilation rate is 17 cfm per person. Based on the RP curve in Figure 4, one would predict an SBS symptom prevalence of 23% (20% times 1.15) with 10 cfm per person of ventilation and a symptom prevalence of 13% (20% times 0.67) with 50 cfm per person of ventilation. The findings also indicate that, on average, increases in ventilation rates above 50 cfm per person will not substantially reduce SBS symptom prevalence although the uncertainty of the estimates are high in this ventilation-rate range.

The analyses underlying Figure 4 have several important limitations. The amount of original data available in a useable form was quite limited. Only eight useable studies with 43 data points were identified. Because of the limited data, distinct analyses for different types of SBS symptoms were not performed. In actuality, the relationship of ventilation rates with SBS symptoms may vary with symptom type. In addition, one would expect the relationship of SBS symptom prevalence with ventilation rate to vary depending on the strength of indoor pollutant sources, the levels of outdoor air pollution, and other factors. For example, in buildings with high indoor pollutant source strengths ventilation rates may have a larger impact on SBS symptom prevalence rates than in buildings with weak indoor pollutant sources. Thus, Figure 4 provides only an estimate of the average relationship, based on the available data. The equation shown on Figure 4 should not be used for ventilation rates below 10 cfm per person or above 70 cfm per person.

With respect to the impact of ventilation rates in schools on SBS symptoms in students, only two studies were identified. The study resulting in Figure 3, relating ventilation rates in two elementary classrooms with school work performance, included surveys of SBS symptoms in students. No statistically significant relationship of ventilation rate with SBS symptoms was identified [37]. The second study intentionally changed ventilation rates in four university computer classrooms [38]. When carbon dioxide concentrations were higher, corresponding to less ventilation per student, there were statistically significant increases in four of nine SBS symptoms (throat, breathing, headache, and tiredness symptoms increased). However, there were statistically significant increases in only two of these symptoms (headache and tiredness) with decreased air exchange rates (rates of outdoor air supply per unit indoor air volume).

Many of the studies of how ventilation rate in affects SBS symptoms have measured indoor CO2 concentrations. In the majority of these studies, a larger fraction of occupants reported SBS symptoms in buildings with higher CO2 concentrations.

Hobson Air provides a myriad of HVAC services, including indoor air quality testing and analysis. Visit website for more on HVAC systems and indoor air quality.

REPOST: Energy expert reveals simple, low/no-cost energy habits to save millions

Stephen Baack of the U.S. Army website writes about how one expert’s simple suggestions could complement the efforts of the military to cut back on energy consumption.

Lights on in an unused maintenance bay were one of many issues that Lyman Parkhurst,
a Sain Engineering Associates inspector who regularly visits Army installations as
part of Installation Management Command's annual Energy and Awareness Conservation
Assessments, found during his trip to U.S. Army Garrison-Ansbach, Germany, in late January.
During his outbrief, Parkhurst revealed a list of simple, low/no-cost energy habit changes
                         community members can make that could be saving millions of dollars.                        Image Source: www.army.mil

ANSBACH, Germany (March 13, 2014) -- It's the type of problem that goes unnoticed every day: an air conditioning unit blasting cool air only feet away from a propped-open door, a bedroom window left open next to a maxed-out heater, and powerful halide lights illuminating an unused maintenance bay for the entire day. 

Despite the millions of dollars of energy-saving enhancements rolled into the billions of dollars of Military Construction Program work the Army has completed in the last five to six years across its inventory, old habits have undermined these technological leaps. 

"Hundreds of billions of dollars were spent and our energy performance has not improved," said Lyman Parkhurst, a Sain Engineering Associates inspector who regularly visits Army installations as part of Installation Management Command's annual Energy and Awareness Conservation Assessments. "We may be better heated in the winter and cooled in the summer, and have better lighting, but we're using it all more than we need or the designers intended for it to be consumed." 

On Parkhurst's list of garrison walkthroughs in January and February was U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach. As at other installations, Parkhurst found things USAG Ansbach is doing well and things it could be doing better. While some of the issues he brought up during his briefing here only apply to the Directorate of Public Works such as long-term lighting upgrades and control setting changes, a significant portion of the problems he addressed are correctable through changes community members can make. 

Fortunately for the Soldiers, family members and civilians who live and work here, Parkhurst stressed that many solutions are low or no cost. Moreover, "the biggest low/no cost items are the simplest issues," he said. 

Regulating the heat properly in a facility, keeping windows closed and turning off lights were all major no-cost solutions he discussed at his briefing. These issues apply not only at houses and offices, but also at military spaces like hangars and maintenance bays. 

"The hangar doors left open only a few inches is the same as leaving a couple of personnel doors open," Parkhurst said. "The barracks and shops have a number of doors propped open with a rock or trash can or sign." 

All of those open doors, he added, add thousands of dollars in heating costs to each building -- not to mention that rocks or other objects used to prop open doors often cause damage. That might mean having to replace the entire door at a cost of several thousand more dollars.
"It's more than conserving energy; it's causing damage that we simply don't have the money to repair," he said.

BEHAVIOR CONTROL 

"We put computer control systems in place to control the heat and ventilation, and in some cases the lights," Parkhurst said. "So, we can monitor and control maybe 30 to 50 percent of the total energy use, but over the years that has meant an investment at most garrisons of $4 million to $5 million just to install and takes a handful of people to operate. We could always add more automatic controls to the lights and radiators and faucets, but is it necessary to add automatic faucets at $400 instead of changing our behavior to simply turn off the water and not waste it?" 

Parkhurst offered plenty of good practices, but said it boils down to behavior control.
"Behavior has such a huge impact, and the cost can be zero," he said. 

To illustrate his point, Parkhurst brought up a story a local national told him during a trip to another garrison. The local national had rented out a duplex for years to an assortment of tenants. About half of the time an older German couple rented the space. The other half, a succession of military renters occupied it, from couples to small families. The difference in energy consumption was eye-opening. 

"Through years of utility data and tenants he said the Americans used three to five times the amount of heat and five to 10 times as much water," Parkhurst recalled. "Identical units and equipment -- just different people." 

When it comes to energy conservation, it turns out USAG Ansbach is doing many things well.
In general, Parkhurst said USAG Ansbach's temperature regulation is the best area.
Improvements since the last assessment include the installation of radiant heating panels in hangars 1, 4 and 5 at Katterbach Airfield, and at the hangars and maintenance shops at Storck Barracks. New LED streetlights at Katterbach and Bleidorn are also a big plus, in addition to improvements to control systems and the installation of photovoltaic panels at Storck. 

"But, putting in new equipment is costly, and the results could honestly be better," Parkhurst said. "Because radiant heating is quiet, some of the bay doors were left open and people were not aware the heat was on and going out the doors. The better insulation in the housing helps keep the houses warmer, but now many are over-heated and not meeting the energy-savings targets; i.e. delivering the cost savings to justify the added expense in constructing them better."

TIPS 

Parkhurst provided a list of items the USAG Ansbach community can improve on with little or no cost. 

Setting thermostatic radiator valves appropriately was one of those big, no-cost, simple solutions. For example, generally in the winter users should set the valve at 3 in offices, 2 in hallways and 1 on the entry radiator, he said. A 5 will often overheat a space and, "when it's combined with an open window, then we are sending dollars flying out that window." 

Also, keeping windows closed is important to remember, he said, except for the short periods of time each day users vent their homes. Venting should be one or two hours a day, not 24/7.
"That and shutting off lights that are not needed," he added, "either because there's plenty of natural light or it's during lunch break or the area is unoccupied." 

Hangars and maintenance bays also have a big role to play. 

"With the large metal halide lights that take 10 to 15 minutes to warm up, people tend to enter the bays in the morning and turn all the lights on and leave them on until everyone leaves for the day. But, some buildings had half or more of the bays unoccupied and also most had good natural lighting from plenty of windows. If the bay is unoccupied but it's dark outside, then only turn on a portion of the lights. 

"If there are going to be more aircraft or vehicles moved into the bay," Parkhurst added, "turn on the additional lights, go connect the tug to the aircraft and move it into the bay. By the time you need the light it will be on. Even better, label the light switches as to which portions of the bay they light: east, west, Bay 1, Bay 2, etc."

CHANGING COSTLY HABITS 

"The assessment was an excellent look in the mirror for us a garrison," said Kevin Griess, deputy garrison commander, who was at the Jan. 31 briefing. "It is always beneficial to have a highly qualified and experienced third-party subject-matter expert such as this to conduct a thorough review of our garrison. The assessment provided valuable insight to some positive improvements that we can make as a garrison and a community." 

The numbers Parkhurst shared with USAG Ansbach leaders during his briefing told a story of increasing prices and unchanging habits -- something Griess wants to turn around.
Since 2007, USAG Ansbach's facility energy consumption has remained relatively stable at roughly 325,000 MBTUs per year (for reference, one MBTU in this context equals one million British thermal units, and one BTU is equal to the amount of heat energy required to increase the temperature of one pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit). In fiscal 2007, that cost the garrison almost $10,000,000. In fiscal 2013, that price went up to nearly $16,000,000. 

"It all comes down to consumption," said Griess, who stressed that changing consumption patterns gives an "immediate and measurable" reduction in costs -- and is easy to do. 

"I say easy because it is easy to close a door, to close a window, turn off the lights, etc.," Griess said. "It is not so easy to change our habits, and that is what we must do as a community. 

Reducing energy consumption brings direct dollars right back to the garrison; dollars that can be used for other projects that benefit Soldiers and their Families." 

Unfortunately for the goal of better energy consumption, too many people have yet to come around to Griess' and Parkhurst's attitude of conservation through behavior control. 

"We really do tend to think, well there's so much money and waste in DoD or the Army that this won't make a difference, that putting this rock in the door is no big deal, that leaving this hangar full of lights on all night is not that important," Parkhurst said. 

"The reality is that the energy bills have to be paid," Parkhurst continued, "and maybe that means we cut a few staff positions, which means the door is not repaired, along with that broken window, and then there's water damage inside, and that causes mold, which means mold remediation, which is costly, and now we have to make some other cuts or forego some repairs. We know what that does to helicopters, or vehicles, or your own car or house."

Hobson Air provides customers with expert vent and duct cleaning services. Visit this website for more on the importance of clean HVAC systems.

REPOST: Cooling has key role in building energy

RAC editor Andrew Gaved gives emphasis on what the cooling industry can do to help improve building energy efficiency.

Image Source: blogs.law.columbia.edu

The subject of energy seems to be being talked about nonstop at the moment – from attempts to rein in suppliers to the risk of the Grid reaching capacity to, of course, the rising cost of the stuff.

We have thrown our two penn’orth into the debate by way of our first Building Energy Question Time (see RAC January issue). It was a fascinating discussion which had in about equal parts good news for the industry, depressing news for the industry and challenges for us to rise to.


As is traditional, here’s the bad news first: there is a clear sense that much of the regulation surrounding energy isn’t working, for either the supply chain or for customers. At the Question Time, panellist after panellist talked about regulations that were missing the mark, whether it be Green Deal, which has expensive interest rates, deterring take-up; Part L, which has dropped the consequential improvements element so crucial to keeping heat in a building; or Energy Performance Certificates, and the woeful take-up of the air conditioning inspections – the mandatory inspections remember – which were supposed to help building owners improve energy efficiency.

Image Source: cooling4industry.co.uk

However, the good news is that the cooling industry can play a major role in improving building energy. Former Cibse president Andy Ford painted a particularly compelling picture of using ground source heat pumps to manage heating and cooling across a year, to the extent of linking buildings that have a heat need with those that have cooling. As he wryly noted, this approach ‘introduces the idea that cooling is actually good – not wicked as many green people seem to think’. I hope Ecobuild and its speakers have taken note.


The main challenge is to galvanise our industry to take on these opportunities, and to shout louder than some of the other noisy lobby groups to convince government we have some of the solutions to reducing buildings energy. We will be returning in 2014 with another Buildings Energy debate, so watch this space.


The other thing that a lot of people are talking about (still) is the fallout from the demise of WR Refrigeration and what the industry might be able to learn from it. There has been reaction from across the industry to the opinions of Kelvin Lord in last month’s issue, and we carry some of the responses, as well as a counterpoint from Thermacom’s Trevor Dann in the January issue.

Image Source: ecofriend.com

One of the overarching themes is that the retail contractors’ margins are becoming too low to be sustainable. Doing something about this is of course the big challenge – it has been suggested the only reason retailers get away with consistently driving down prices is because no one is standing up to them. But it isn’t quite as simple as that when the buying team across the desk holds the power over 30 per cent of your business. Or more.


What the industry doesn’t need is for the WR debate to increase tension between contractors and customers. Because now, perhaps more than any other time for decades, the supply chain needs to pull together to meet the demands of a reduced emissions, reduced energy future.

Hobson Air Conditioning Inc. is a full-service air conditioning and heating contractor based in Texas. Visit this website to learn more about its products and services.

wikiHow: How to Cut Heating Bills This Winter

As the price of heating fuel continues to rise, home owners can take the following steps to lower heating bills. While a few suggestions are more costly and will structurally improve your home, others are easier suggestions to seal your home and keep heat in. A little time spent now can mean dollars off your next heating bill.

Read a few tips on wikiHow.

REPOST: Preparing for cold weather

North American Precis Syndicate stresses the need to prepare the heating system, among others, for the coming of colder weather.

You may care to give a warm welcome to these ideas that can help ensure that your home heating system is in tip-top shape to handle the stress that cold weather can place on a home.

Start first by scheduling a clean-and-check service call by a qualified technician. Not only will this preventative maintenance help keep your system operating optimally when you need it most, it can help restore lost efficiency, lower utility bills, minimize repairs, improve capacity and extend the life of your heating equipment. No matter how energy efficient your furnace or heat pump was when it was installed, proper maintenance is needed to keep it that way.

A professional heating system technician can help you keep your home comfortable and your heating bills affordable. Image source:scoopsandiego.com

Expert’s Advice

“When looking for a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning [HVAC] contractor, it’s important to ensure they have the proper credentials,” explains Tom Archer, heating product manager, Carrier.

Leading residential contractors gain their certification from three principal organizations: the North American Technician Excellence program (NATE), the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) or the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA).

“If the contractor you’ve found is certified by one or more of these organizations, you’ve found a reputable business,” continues Archer. “In addition, ask your friends and neighbors who they’ve worked with in the past and how they fared with the experience.”

Understanding he Inspection

Once you’ve selected a reputable contractor, schedule an appointment to have your home comfort system inspected. This inspection should include checks to ensure that airflow and drainage are unobstructed and monitors and electrical connections are functioning properly. A qualified contractor will also check all components of the equipment, and inspect the ignition mechanism, the flue draft and indoor airflow for maximum efficiency and the burner assembly and heat exchangers to ensure all heating components are working to capacity. Lastly, the technician will clean and lubricate all necessary parts.

Following the furnace inspection, the technician will also inspect any indoor air quality components you may have, including air purifiers or humidifiers and ventilators. The contractor will then test the thermostat calibration and conduct start-and-run testing to be sure your system is responding properly to what your house needs. Once testing is complete, the technician will confirm that the safety controls are working and effective.

The final step of the visit should be the replacement of the furnace filter, as needed. Filter replacement is a key factor in ensuring efficient furnace operation. Not only does your furnace need clean air to function correctly, the filter is an important part of cleaning the air going into your home. Plus, a dirty filter can restrict airflow and could cause the furnace to overheat and shut down.

How Often Should You Change Your Filter?

“Well, that depends,” says Archer. “For instance, thick, highly pleated filters can trap particles and contaminants for a longer period of time than thinner filters; similarly, furnaces with air filters may only need to be changed once or twice a year. However, if you use your furnace fan all year long to circulate air or if you have pet hair and dander in your home, then you may need to change the filter more frequently. Your technician will be able to assess the type of filter in your system and outline a schedule for you to check and replace it throughout the year.”

There is a lot to consider when preparing for the cold, but with the help of a credentialed, qualified technician, it can be a simple, straightforward process, and one that can keep your home comfort system running efficiently and properly throughout the year.

More on preparing HVAC systems can be accessed from the Hobson Air website.

YouTube: How It Works: Air Conditioners

This free troubleshooting video provides information on how an air conditioner works and the common problem associated with air conditioners. Gaining an understanding on how the air conditioner works and knowing which parts fail is the first step in the troubleshooting process.

REPOST: New York Power Authority issues guidelines for achieving energy cost savings at K-12 schools

One of the advantages of clean ducts is the amount of energy they save in the operation of an HVAC system. The Niagara Wheatfield Tribune reports the New York Power Authority’s suggestion of improving the energy efficiency of schools in the area, which includes upgrading HVAC systems.

A new report by the New York Power Authority on best practices for achieving energy cost savings at New York schools highlights significant economic and environmental benefits from increased investments in energy efficiency and clean energy technologies at public and private K-12 schools. The accelerated energy efficiency initiatives highlighted in the best practices report would complement Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's Build Smart NY initiative to reduce energy use in state facilities by 20 percent by 2020.

Image Source: www.archnews.com

"The New York Power Authority looks forward to continuing to support the statewide efforts under Gov. Cuomo to lower the energy bills and carbon footprint of schools through investments in energy efficiency and clean energy technologies," said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. "We hope that our newly issued best practices report reaches those school districts that have yet to take advantage of our energy efficiency program for schools. We are ready to work with them."

Since its inception in 1991, NYPA's Energy Services for Schools Program has benefited nearly 1,300 schools in 33 counties, which represent about 30 percent of public K-12 facilities statewide. The program, has reduced the peak energy demand of schools by more than 70 megawatts, and eliminated nearly 180,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions a year. (One MW is enough electricity to meet the needs of 800 to 1,000 typical homes.)

Moreover, the program has saved school districts roughly $37 million in energy costs annually.

The more than 650 projects that NYPA has financed and implemented, to date, at primary and secondary school facilities account for more than $400 million in capital expenditure improvements.

Image Source: www.appanet.org

Installations include new lighting and sensors; energy-efficient chillers, boilers and controls; heating, ventilation and air-conditioning modernization; energy management systems; on-site solar photovoltaic arrays; and replacement of coal boilers with dual-fueled clean heating systems that burn natural gas and No. 2 fuel oil.

The goal of The Best Practices for Energy Cost Savings in New York State Schools report is to provide a high-level overview of the achievable energy efficiency potential in K-12 facilities across the state. The report states that, even with the achievements of NYPA's Energy Services for Schools Program, the remaining potential for increased energy savings is nearly five times the level of what has been achieved to date.

The report notes that, by maximizing the economic energy efficiency potential at schools, more than 18,000 jobs would be created by 2030 in energy-related products and services industries. It would also reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions - a cause of climate change - by 1.4 million metric tons, or the equivalent of taking about 300,000 cars off the road each year.

In its undertaking of energy efficiency upgrades, NYPA recovers the project costs through the savings over several years' time after which the schools keep all of the recurring annual savings.

The recommendations in the best practices report include performing benchmarking and energy audits of current school energy use; promoting awareness at schools of the benefits of energy efficiency and behaviors that impact energy use; adopting best practices of other school energy-efficiency programs around the nation; providing specialized support tailored to the individual schools and districts; expediting the start of construction projects through a streamlined review and approval process by New York state agencies; and tapping into low-cost and no-cost energy-savings opportunities.

"Districts are encouraged to use the guidelines included in the report to identify ways to reduce energy costs," said Carl Thurnau, director of the office of facilities planning, New York State Education Department. "This report is a helpful tool to assist school districts in managing their facilities to conserve energy and allow greater resources to be devoted to the classroom."

For more on the benefits of a clean or upgraded HVAC systems, visit this Twitter page for Hobson Air.

REPOST: Air conditioner: Keep in or take it out

As autumn approaches, it may no longer seem necessary to keep the air conditioner around, specially since the warm air can escape through the hole in the wall where the appliance sits. With the unpredictable temperature fluctuations, the question is when to take the air conditioner out. This video article on WWLP discusses a few options.

Video source: WWLP

As the temperatures drop, it's probably something you're considering: whether you'll need your air conditioner again before next spring.

The problem is mainly for people with window air conditioners, take them out too soon and you might be caught sweating on the next warm day.

"I had my heat on last night," said Anthony Rondoletto from Springfield.

Cold nights and mild days make it tough to decide whether it's time to take out your window air conditioning units.

Around Chicopee neighborhoods it was easy to see that many people still have them in, but some won't keep them in for much longer.

Most people like the indoor temperature of their home to be in the upper 60s or low 70s and while cooler air is certainly on the way into October, there could be those warmer day exceptions.

For example, just last week temperatures hit the mid 90s in the lower pioneer valley.

"I'd probably take it out just because it doesn't stay hot very long now. It might be hot for a day then it cools down at night so I don't really see the need for it," said Scott Griffith from East Longmeadow.

While taking your a/c out too early could be a bit of a risk, if you keep your air conditioner in too long you could be letting warm air out and bringing an unnecessary increase to your heating bill when the cold air does arrive.

"What month do you normally take it out? Umm it could stay there until November sometimes," said Sheena Neily from Springfield.

For comparison, after this date last year we hit the mid 70s or higher only three days through the end of the year.

Electricity bills can run very high if heat or cool air is not properly insulated in the home.  Hobson Air conducts maintenance checks to ensure that a household is maximizing the benefits of their cooling or heating systems.  Follow this Twitter account for more tips on energy efficiency.

Since being founded in 1962, AC Genius has become one of the largest service providers of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in North Texas.

ASHRAE 55: Beyond the standard of thermal comfort

Image Source: ergonomics.ucr.edu

Thermal comfort isn’t really defined in opposition to thermal discomfort. The best definition of thermal comfort, which has been established by many studies, is hinged on its impact on one’s well-being and productivity.

Image Source: omselite.com

Thermal comfort can be achieved by setting air temperature, humidity, and air movement after a range prescribed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). As people vary greatly among themselves on their temperature preferences, ASHRAE compares the outcomes of psychological experiments to thermal analysis variables in determining the indoor thermal conditions that majority of the occupants would find acceptable. These conditions are outlined in the ASHRAE 55 Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy, the industry consensus on thermal comfort requirements for buildings. ASHRAE 55 is updated on a regular basis to accommodate any changes affecting thermal comfort and its sustainability in indoor environments.

Image Source: giftforcoworkers.com

Thermal comfort within offices is important. According to ASHRAE 55, the recommended office temperature ranges from 68°F to 74°F in winter and 73°F to 79°F during summer months. It has been reported that 80 percent of occupants feel comfortable on such levels, but there are still those who find these inadequate. Additional procedures are required to meet the acceptable thermal comfort levels for all building occupants.



Ensure your family’s comfort and safety by having your cooling and heating systems regularly checked by Hobson Air specialists. Go to this website to request for a service.

Fun Fact: The first air conditioner

"The very first unit by Willis Carrier was not for temperature control, but for humidity control. You got cooling as a byproduct."

Source: Live Science, Science of Summer: How Does Air Conditioning Work?

What came before the AC

Image Source: wired.com

Many inventors tinkered with modern strategies for keeping cool under the heat. But it was Willis Haviland Carrier’s invention called the 'Apparatus for Treating Air' (U.S. Pat# 808897) that proved the plausibility of manmade weather by controlling temperature and humidity, eventually earning him the title as the father of airconditioning. Carrier started an era of refined understanding of electrical systems through his Rational Psychrometric Formulae, which remains the basis for all the integral calculations in the airconditioning industry.


But the attempts to outsmart the weather before the AC came along also warrant attention. Practical strategies to stay cool existed at the dawn of the 20th century. People braved the hot weather with fans of all shapes and sizes. The Roman Emperor Elagabalus made his mark by warding off third-century summer by commanding 1000 slaves to fill his pleasure-garden with a mountain of snow.

Image Source: hauntedhistorians.com

Fast forward to 1758, Benjamin Franklin and John Hadley discovered that the evaporation of liquids had a cooling effect. Michael Faraday discovered the same in 1820. By the 1830s, Dr. John Gorrie built an ice-making machine in a hospital in Florida. He then patented the idea in 1851 but financial struggles killed off his invention. In 1881, following an attempted assassination of President James Garfield, naval engineers created a makeshift cooling machine that used half a million pounds of ice to keep the injured president cool and comfortable. The machine failed in its mission.

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By the 1920s, residential cooling machines were invented, thanks to iconic aircon marque Carrier, which began the science of modern airconditioning for home use.



Hobson Air is among the many cooling and heating systems contractors which uphold Carrier’s science of modern air conditioning. Go here for more exciting discoveries in the airconditioning industry.

REPOST: Updating your cooling system is a smart investment

The average useful life expectancy of an air conditioning unit is 10 years. To keep it running efficiently, regular maintenance is a must. Chron tackles the importance of updating air conditioners below.

If you’re a seasoned homeowner, you know houses require a lot of upkeep. Experience also shows the best home projects offer a dual advantage: they add to your quality of life and to your home’s overall value. And if an improvement helps save money in the long run? That’s a triple win!

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Dave Borowski, spokesperson for Direct Energy Protection Plans, says updating your cooling system can offers these benefits: “The useful life expectancy of an air-conditioning unit is usually seven to 10 years — much like a car, it might keep running but not as efficiently. And professional maintenance can increase the product’s life expectancy, improve performance and help reduce the severity and frequency of breakdowns.” So if you do plan to update your home’s cooling system, here are tips to ensure that investment pays off:

Find a good contractor. Look for the best credentials, not the best price: “A questionable contractor can cut the cost, but he may also cut corners,” warns Borowski. A NATE certification (National Alliance for Technical Education) is one standard of quality. Referrals — from online sources, and from people who had AC units installed 10 years ago or 10 days ago — can tell you a lot about contractor’s workmanship over the short- and long-term. “The most important day in an air conditioner’s life is Day #1, when it’s installed,” notes Borowski. “If it’s not perfect then, it will never get better.”

Buy the highest efficiency unit that you can afford. Face it: Electric rates are not likely to go down. Spending a bit more for an energy-efficient unit can actually lead to long-term savings.

Ask about rebates. Many vendors seasonally bring out rebates to help boost sales; check with your contractor to see if there are good deals out there.
Make sure your ductwork is properly sized for your air conditioner. “Just because your ductwork is there – and has been there for 22 years – doesn’t mean it’s right,” explains Borowski. An improper fit means the unit won’t work as efficiently as it should. A good contractor will check this, but it never hurts to bring it up.

Get a programmable thermostat. The newest versions let you monitor the AC right from a smart phone: “With the Comfort Sentry ThermostatTM, you can control the temperatures and set schedules to fit household needs,” says Borowski. To save energy — and energy dollars — you can raise the temperature during daytime hours when no one is home, and have things cool down automatically by 5 p.m. “Or suppose you’re at the airport, ready to go on vacation, and suddenly realize, ‘Ugh, I forgot to turn the thermostat off! It’s going to be cooling the house for two weeks while we’re on a cruise.’ Now, all you’ve got to do is go to your smart phone and put the thermostat in ‘vacation’ mode. Running the AC when you’re gone is equivalent to running ceiling fans when you’re gone!”

Check the service options. Even the best-installed air conditioner can break down; find out when your contractor does warranty service. “Some only do it Monday through Friday, 9 to 5,” says Borowski. “Imagine if your air conditioner breaks down at 5:15 on a Friday, and your contractor says he’ll be happy to help you Monday morning! Make sure you’ve got someone who stands behind his work and will perform warranty service 24/7. If not, you’ve got the wrong contractor.”

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The air conditioning and heating specialists at Comfort Experts perform preventive maintenance checks, service of existing equipment, installation of new equipment, and cost-benefits analysis. To know the right time to update or replace an air conditioning unit, read here.

Pets need air conditioners, too

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When the air conditioning unit of a Chicago animal welfare center was stolen, about a hundred cats and dogs were put in danger. The temperature at the time of the robbery was approaching 80 degrees and it was an unsafe heat for many animals to be exposed to. The meager funding that was allocated for the animals’ food and medicine had to be used just to stabilize the units. The incident was a proof of the importance of air conditioners to pets.

Dogs and cats may suffer from heat strokes and heat exhaustion when the environment is too hot. Unlike humans, they cannot expel too much body heat. They only pant and release sweat through their noses and foot pads. When they fail to expel heat effectively, their internal body temperature rises. At a body temperature of 106 degrees, they suffer from damaged brain and body organs. In extreme cases, they die.

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The cold air circulation that air conditioners provide can greatly help furry pets regulate their body temperature, especially during summer days when heat waves strike. The cool environment of air-conditioned rooms is also beneficial for more heat-sensitive dogs, including the obese, the ill, and the short-nosed breeds, like pugs and bulldogs.

There may be other ways that dogs and cats regulate their body temperature, but getting help from air conditioners is still one of the safest means. Enjoying cool air inside their owners’ homes, they do not have to wander outdoors and risk being attacked by other animals or impounded by animal control officers. As domesticated animals, they have lost many of their survival skills in the harsh environment and have evolved to share the benefits of technology with their human companions.

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AC Genius, an air conditioning contractor in Texas, can install complete heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. To get more information on the benefit of air conditioning units, follow this blog.

Ways to save energy when room air conditioning is a must

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Air conditioning is a necessity in hot weather. The unit helps people stay cool and protected from heat-related illness and death. However, there are those who are unresolved in buying an air conditioner because of the need to save money and energy.

If both air conditioning and energy conservation are a must, here are tips to consider:

1. Buy an air conditioner with ENERGY STAR label.

An air conditioner with an ENERGY STAR seal means that the appliance uses less energy, saving its user money, and helps protect the environment—as determined by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.

2. Choose the right type of air conditioner.

When buying a room air conditioner, choose a unit with an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of 10.0 or above. This will cut the air conditioning energy costs in half. Window and portable units, which cool room instead of a whole building, also use less than 50 percent energy compared to central units.



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3. Use the air conditioner properly.

To conserve energy, close the window and outside doors when turning the unit on. Also keep the unit clean to make it run efficiently. Clogged filters make the air conditioner work harder, which adds to higher electricity consumption.

5. Get an energy-conservation analysis

An energy-conservation analysis can determine the home’s energy consumption and the money that goes into using these energies. Air conditioning and heating contractors, like Hobson Air and Service Experts, conduct energy-conservation analysis at the request of clients.

Following these energy-conservation tips will help people save money and energy without depriving themselves of the comfort and protection that air conditioning provides.



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This webpage explains how an energy-conservation analysis works.

Legionella: The bacteria that inhabits cooling towers

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Legionella is a type of bacterium that causes the respiratory illness called legionellosis.


Legionella dwells in natural water systems, but thrives more in hot and artificial water systems. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention explains that the heated water of cooling towers of air conditioning systems provides an ideal environment for Legionella growth. Accom News adds that the bacteria “is most active when the temperature of the water is between 20° and 45° and there is sufficient nutrient to support growth and multiplication.”



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When people breathe in water droplets that contain legionella, they can be infected with legionellosis. In 1976 in Philadelphia, there was an outbreak of the disease when the American Legion convention members got infected due to contaminated cooling towers. Legionnaire’s disease, a form of legionellosis, was coined after this outbreak.


To prevent legionella from thriving in the cooling towers of air conditioning systems, regular inspection and cleaning must be observed. Both cooling tower manufacturers and companies that have cooling towers must follow strict maintenance guidelines. Companies can also seek the services of air conditioning and heating contractors like Comfort Experts and Quality Cooling and Heating, which conduct air quality analysis to make sure that there is no legionella in the air.



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How does an air quality analysis work? Find out by vising this website.

Heating and cooling systems for underground shelters

Nuclear threats, extreme weather, and doomsday predictions – people can never tell when they’re going to happen, but they can always prepare for the worst rather than be sorry.

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One of the options people could take is to build an underground shelter, at least 8 feet deep, adjacent to the occupants’ house, and equipped with the necessary survival kits and proper ventilation.


The chapter on Nuclear War Survival Skills of the book Fighting Chance: Ten Feet to Survival by Eugene P. Wigner notes that one of the most significant survival skills that people should learn is “how to keep occupied shelters adequately ventilated in all seasons and cool enough for many days of occupancy in warm or hot weather.”

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The author recommends using a large-volume shelter-ventilating pump, an expedient heating machine which doesn’t require ample technical know-how to build. The book shows how to build the machine using inexpensive household materials.


Another heating systems option is to use geothermal heat pumps run by electricity generated through solar power. Builders may need to hire a professional to set up the heat pumps. Heating and systems contractors, like Hobson Air and A Plus Quality Inc., can provide necessary assistance. Adequate ventilation is still required during freezing weather conditions as the earth’s moist will continue to absorb body heat, leaving the occupants prone to weather-related illnesses.


Natural ventilation can be achieved by following the structure of an Eskimo igloo. The spiral dome is built with small ventilation openings poked at the ceiling and at the floor to protect its occupants from harsh temperatures. A shelter with a chimney-like vent is proven to be useful during cool weather, supplying occupants with enough air needed to prevent the build-up of carbon dioxide. However, it should be noted that this vent may not work during warm weather.

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Experts from Hobson Air can assess whether or not your underground shelter is well- ventilated. This website offers more about proper ventilation during harsh weather conditions.

REPOST: Why 2013 could be a game-changer on climate

Last year's elections saw the country's leaders tackle many of our most pressing issues. However, climate change did not seem to be one of them. This year, the discussion seem to be making a comeback, after the nation saw firsthand how extreme weather events have cost our economy billions of dollars in recovery. This CNN article details how climate change may be a hot topic in the World Economic Forum in Davos this month.

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(CNN) -- As leaders gather for the World Economic Forum in Davos, signs of economic hope are upon us. The global economy is on the mend. Worldwide, the middle class is expanding by an estimated 100 million per year. And the quality of life for millions in Asia and Africa is growing at an unprecedented pace.

Threats abound, of course. One neglected risk -- climate change -- appears to at last be rising to the top of agendas in business and political circles. When the World Economic Forum recently asked 1,000 leaders from industry, government, academia, and civil society to rank risks over the coming decade for the Global Risks 2013 report, climate change was in the top three. And in his second inaugural address, President Obama identified climate change as a major priority for his Administration.

For good reason: last year was the hottest year on record for the continental United States, and records for extreme weather events were broken around the world. We are seeing more droughts, wildfires, and rising seas. The current U.S. drought will wipe out approximately 1% of the U.S. GDP and is on course to be the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. Damage from Hurricane Sandy will cost another 0.5% of GDP. And a recent study found that the cost of climate change is about $1.2 trillion per year globally, or 1.6% of global GDP.

Shifting to low-carbon energy sources is critical to mitigating climate change's impacts. Today's global energy mix is changing rapidly, but is it heading in the right direction?

Coal is the greatest driver of carbon dioxide emissions from energy, accounting for more than 40% of the total worldwide. Although coal demand is falling in the United States -- with 55 coal-powered plants closed in the past year -- it's growing globally. The World Resources Institute (WRI) recently identified 1,200 proposed new coal plants around the world. And last year, the United States hit a record-high level of coal exports—arguably transferring U.S. emissions abroad.

Meanwhile, shale gas is booming. Production in the United States has increased nearly tenfold since 2005, and China, India, Argentina, and many others have huge potential reserves. This development can be an economic blessing in many regions, and, because carbon emissions of shale gas are roughly half those of coal, it can help us get onto a lower carbon growth path.

However, while gas is an important bridge to a low carbon future—and can be a component of such a future—it can't get us fully to where we need to be. Greenhouse gas emissions in industrial countries need to fall by 80-90% by 2050 to prevent climate change's most disastrous impacts. And there is evidence that gas is crowding out renewables.

Renewable energy -- especially solar and wind power -- are clear winners when it comes to reducing emissions. Unfortunately, despite falling prices, the financial markets remain largely risk-averse. Many investors are less willing to finance renewable power. As a result of this mindset, along with policy uncertainty and the proliferation of low-cost gas, renewable energy investment dropped 11%, to $268 billion, last year.

What do we need to get on track?

Incentivizing renewable energy investment

Currently, more than 100 countries have renewable energy targets, more than 40 developing nations have introduced feed-in tariffs, and countries from Saudi Arabia to South Africa are making big bets on renewables as a growth market. Many countries are also exploring carbon-trading markets, including the EU, South Korea, and Australia. This year, China launched pilot trading projects in five cities and two provinces, with a goal of a national program by 2015.

Removing market barriers

Despite growing demand for renewable energy from many companies, this demand often remains unmet due to numerous regulatory, financial, and psychological barriers in the marketplace.

In an effort to address these, WRI just launched the Green Power Market Development Group in India, bringing together industry, government, and NGOs to build critical support for renewable energy markets. A dozen major companies from a variety of sectors—like Infosys, ACC, Cognizant, IBM, WIPRO, and others— have joined the initiative. This type of government-industry-utility partnership, built upon highly successful models elsewhere, can spur expanded clean energy development. It will be highlighted in Davos this week at meetings of the Green Growth Action Alliance (G2A2).

De-risking investments

For technical, policy, and financial reasons, risks are often higher for renewables than fossil-based energy. Addressing these risks is the big remaining task to bring about the needed energy transformation. Some new funding mechanisms are emerging that can help reduce risk and thus leverage large sums of financing. For example, the Green Climate Fund could, if well-designed, be an important venue to raise funds and drive additional investments from capital markets. Likewise, multi-lateral development banks' recent $175 billion commitment to sustainable transport could help leverage more funds from the private and public sectors.

Some forward-looking companies are seeking to create internal incentives for green investments. For example, companies like Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, and UPS have been taking actions to reduce internal hurdle rates and shift strategic thinking to the longer-term horizons that many green strategies need.

Davos is exactly the type of venue for finding solutions to such issues, which requires leadership and coalition-building from the private and public sectors. For example, the the G2A2, an alliance of CEOs committed to addressing climate and environmental risks, will launch the Green Investment Report with precisely the goal of "unlocking finance for green growth".

Depending on what happens at Davos—and other forums and meetings like it throughout the year—2013 could just be a game-changer.

Andrew Steer | Image source: CNN

Editor's note: Andrew Steer is President and CEO of the World Resources Institute, a

think tank that works with governments, businesses and civil society to find sustainable solutions to environmental and development challenges.

Weather is increasingly unpredictable. Keep your home temperature stable with cost-effective heating and cooling systems. Get a free quote from Hobson Air. See more information on this website.